Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $25,470 -24.6% vs national
Median hourly $12.25
10th percentile $15,080
90th percentile $48,020
Employed locally 1,190
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Waterloo, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,080
    25th
    $17,620
    50th (median)
    $25,470
    75th
    $37,710
    90th
    $48,020

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 37% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 63% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $46,280
    District of Columbia $45,770
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $38,440
    Virginia $36,990
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $36,910
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,080
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,680
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $34,410
    Bartenders $22,000
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Waterloo, IA is $12.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.48 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Waterloo, IA is 24.6% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,080 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,620.